April 1st, 2015

Potty training is a topic some parents fret about. How do you know when your child is ready to start training?  By the time the child is eighteen months, toddlers begin to the sensation that comes with urination and bm. So here are some things to look at when getting ready to start training.

·       Child doesn't like sitting in a wet/soiled diaper.

·       Child dress and undress on their own.

·        Child stays dry a couple hours between diaper changes.

·       Wakes up dry.

·       Child announces they have to go to the bathroom.

 

Once you decide it’s time start training here are some things you may need. Some children have a fear of seating on the big potty so have a child potty seat in the bathroom. The child seats can be put over the toilet seat to eliminate the fear they might fall in. You can also look into getting the potty that stands alone on the floor and would need to be dumped after the child uses it.

Don’t force the issue of using the potty.  When starting out explain that poops go in the potty, not in the underwear. If the child is over 2 ½ ask him or her to help clean up.

Be prepared for a couple accidents during the training and remember make sure the clothes the child is wearing is easy get off and on.  I also recommend reading books on potty such as “Diapers Are Not Forever” by Elizabeth Verdick and Everybody Poops by Taro Gomi. There is also a video from Pampers on potty training that is helpful. The video offers pointers to parents and a kids section with cartoons.